ode to 2010

I couldn't resist... I had way too much fun reflecting on our photo moments of 2009, so I had to do a review of 2010... and I swear this house gets sillier and sillier and we don't seem to have enough fun but here is our tribute to photo moments in 2010...

Most adventurous... to Jaiden and the climbing wall

Culinary Achievements to Alyssa... she is doing wonders in the kitchen 

Most likely to make contact with extra-terrestrial beings... to alien Santa

Most likely to fly... the black (not pink, but black) bat

For having the smallest friend... to Anntie ... so small she's managed to get lost again

Most academic... to our stunning reader, Jaiden (I especially love when he reads to his little sister!)

Best dressed... 2nd time in a row and will probably always go to her... Alyssa

Most daring... Alyssa for taking her training wheels off (or maybe me for letting her?)

Aspiring mad scientist... yes this one is a bit scary... Jaiden and his scary (notice he wrote that on the side of the cup?) volcano

Best performance... the sugar plum fairy just before ballet lessons to Alyssa

Most patient ... to Jaiden for sitting through an entire Disney Princess dinner!

Scariest race track ever designed... Jaiden and dinosaur mania

Most enterprising... Alyssa and her mini store set up on the kitchen garbage can to sell her Halloween candy

Least likely to be asked to babysit.... Alyssa for leaving her babies unattended in the driveway

And the ULTIMATE award for 2010... drum roll, please

Most likely to avoid the camera....

Need I say more?

Happy New Year!

Oh, 2011 watch out... we've got BIG plans!

too cold for ants...

... at this picnic. Yesterday, Jaiden asked if we could go on a picnic to one of our favorite parks and looking outside from inside, seeing bright, inviting sunlight, I agreed. Lucky for him, I agreed before stepping outside. It was frigid but we went anyway. We ate in the treehouse and then played along the stream. It was lovely and relaxing except for the cool breeze.

I, of course, had to play with my camera a bit and managed to capture this photo of Jaiden. Something about it ... I love and thought I would share.

Today, we stayed inside (thank goodness!) and had friends over. I am still recovering from being so cold yesterday! Good thing I have my new electric blanket to climb under in a little bit and feel nice and toasty warm!

boxing day

It's a no photo day because well, it's late and I am feeling a bit lazy but I do have a few funny things to share from the past few days. First, today is Boxing Day and it is a unique holiday that we used to celebrate when we lived in Britain but the point of this isn't that but all day, Jaiden kept asking "When are we going to watch the Boxing match?" and then would snicker at his sly little joke!

And the second bit of story I wanted to share was yesterday just before dinner, Jaiden came into the dining room where I was setting the table and said to me "Mommy, I now know the true meaning of Christmas!"

And I thought oh boy here we go but asked "And what is the true meaning?"

He replied with a silly grin on his face "It's actually two things... no three things. It's first about giving. Giving from your heart because you want to. And second, it's about hope. Hope for all sorts of things. And lastly, it's Jesus birthday."

Well, needless to say, I was a little surprised that was his answer and I left it at that. It was so sincere and genuine and I felt slightly relieved that he didn't launch into something about what he got, but I do wonder what prompted him to come in and tell me what he thought the meaning of Christmas was.

I should be back with photos tomorrow...

merry and bright...

crafts...

On Tuesday, I mentioned we went to Discovery Days but didn't have any photos taken of the crafts they had made. I tried to get a few shots but for some reason quite a few were blurry so I am only posting two photos at the moment. Discovery Days is typically held during the week while Jaiden is in school but this year he was invited to the BIG KIDS day! Younger siblings could attend with their big brother or sister but this time was set aside for 6-12 years olds and Jaiden couldn't have been more excited to go.

This is Jaiden's elf he made all by himself! He even used the hot glue gun by himself!

This is a combination of Jaiden and Alyssa's crafts. The wooden blocks in the back are Jaiden's on the left and Alyssa's on the right. The tree ornaments up front in the circular tubes is actually the reverse... the red one on the left is Alyssa's and the right one is Jaiden's. The shiny silver glittery thing on the left is a bell Jaiden made from an egg carton piece painted in glue and dipped in glitter... it really does ring. And the blurry yellow thing on the right is Jaiden's drum ornament. Needless to say, these items have been snatched up by the kids and spread around the house for more decoration. I think I am going to need another Rubbermaid bin for holding all of their crafts!

training wheels are for babies...

When Alyssa was 3, I kept telling her as soon as she turned 4, the training wheels go bye bye and I think she believed at 4, she could ride her bike with no training wheels until she turned 4. Since her 4th birthday, I have been trying to warm her up to the idea but I was met with cries of terror and panic. And then there was today, she said okay and after multiple times around the block practicing and crashing into the fence, she announced to me "training wheels are for babies!"

She's not completely there yet but her fear has subsided as long as she wears her helmet, elbow and knee pads and dresses in pink! I am fairly certain if I put a tiara on the helmet and gave her cape she would save the world! ... or at least her world?!

we are slowly taking over...

... we have come in peace but will destroy if not cooperative {note: use a robot voice as you read}.

Today was  so much fun, and involved lots of craft making. Jaiden received this as a gift from his good friend, Jade and literally spent nearly 2 1/2 hours constructing these mini wind up robots.

Here are 3 of the 5 he made. They really are adorable and not scary but Jaiden pretends they are taking over our house, hence the above talk.

We also went to Discovery Days this morning for a special BIG Kid day. Jaiden was tickled pink that it was especially for him and Alyssa got to come because she had a BIG brother (which we made sure she understood). It was super crowded but a lot of fun. All the crafts were set up for big kids only, there was nothing for little ones to do. Alyssa needed quite a bit of help especially with the hot glue but Jaiden managed to do everything by himself including the hot glue! I forgot to take photos of the finished product so I will do that today and share a little later. But it was another beautiful and fun day playing together!

run, run as fast you can...

... you can't catch me I'm the gingerbread girl, boy, baby... karate kid!

Our almost finished product and yes, Jaiden and I tried to convert a few into Ninja Gingerbread.

Jaiden learned how to read a recipe, read measuring cups and spoons, and to scoop and level his ingredients... it was a lot of fun to start this process of teaching him. I realized I need to be more careful and read the recipe too. I confess though, I told both kids it's okay if there is a little more or a little less as they bake.

Alyssa singing while she helped measure the spices.

Decorating his karate gingerbread...

And this one... well, she kept saying "body of grace for you, body of grace for you" as she sprinkled her gingerbread. Jaiden thought it was hilarious and I was thoroughly confused until I asked where she learned it. Her reply "at God's house". Funny what she hears when she comes up for communion... even though she doesn't take communion, she gets a special blessing but she remembers what they say to us... well, sort of since they actually say body of Christ for you!

I forgot to take a photo of the very finished gingerbread with piped food coloring gel (I bought the wrong thing!) and I forgot to take a photo of Alyssa playing with her gingerbread people in the gingerbread house! Maybe tomorrow, I will catch her doing it again!

little voices...

One thing I really love is when I hear little voices (not the ones in my head, nice try!) drift out of a room where I know they are playing together. This morning was another early morning but it was a good morning. Since we weren't going to church until the 11 am service for the special Christmas play, the kids had time to play, and I was delighted to find them in Jaiden's room ... 

... playing at the new "Lego" table converted from the train table. I am not sure the details of the game or play they were playing but I sat at the edge of the door listening... and loved it.

At church today, it was crowded but it was also the special Christmas play put on by the children. Alyssa had to sit on my lap and she was fine with her coloring. She would draw a picture and then want me to spell their name. Jaiden and Daddy received the first two. At some point, she turned to the elderly man next to us and said "what's your name?" I tried to hush her and told her to write "to Sir" of which she did. Then she handed him the photo. He was delighted and talked a little with her. She then decided to draw him another but this time she signed her name. When she gave it to him, he said his name was Herman. I was stunned and told him my Papa, her Great Papa was named Herman too. Alyssa thought about this and said quite loudly "It sounds like Kermit. You know, Kermit the Frog!"  There was lots of laughter and as it turns out Herman was a true native of our town. He was baptised in 1919 at our church! He had the most interesting stories. Anyway, he had to leave early to go get ready for the bus. When we left church, he was outside waiting for the church bus. Alyssa saw him, and ran to give him another hug good bye and tell him next time she would draw him a heart. It was the most touching and genuine sweetness on both of their parts. It made me miss my own grandparents a lot.

nibble, nibble...

On Wednesday after school, we tackled the gingerbread house. I took quite a few photos so I tried to choose just a few that capture the fun they had. And truth be told this was my first time assembling the house... normally Dennis does that part and I get to focus on the photos. I was a little shocked at how hard it was. The icing is like cement and really hard to pipe but I tried my best and the kids, well, they didn't care either way, they just had a lot of fun.

 Jaiden and Alyssa working on the front of their houses. They were so excited, Jaiden didn't take off his coat and Alyssa wore her bike helmet!

Top photo - very proud of themselves

2nd photo - me frustrated with trying to get the walls standing so I used cans to prop it up. It looked funny but it worked!

3rd photo - Jaiden's door and side of house

Bottom photo - Alyssa's door and side of house!

So there it is, the gingerbread house of which I still here the witch from Hansel and Gretel saying "Nibble, nibble like a mouse, Who is nibbling on my house?"

That would be Jaiden and Alyssa as they dismantled it last night so they could eat it... cement icing and all!

winter break....

... has officially begun. I am so excited to have them home for 2 1/2 weeks! Whooopeee! It's almost as exciting as summer break with the exception that Jaiden left a little package under the tree for Daddy and me.

Of course, he flaunted it in my face and pointed out the "Do Not Opin in til Christmas" part... much to my disappointment. But it did make me realize that I need to photograph their sweet artwork they have been bringing home in addition to all of the old sweet artwork I am still hanging because I just can't get over the sweet, pure genuine expression of themselves in the art. I love it! And I am so happy to have it to decorate with.

the coffee fairy...

... is exhausted. The real coffee fairy isn't waking up early enough and instead the imagined coffee fairy is having all sorts of adventures in the wind lately.

 In case you didn't know the coffee fairy only comes when Daddy is gone because Alyssa only wants "Daddy's special coffee", not Mommy's but the problem is she is getting up too early and so I am really grateful that Daddy returned tonight with special presents from Chinatown.

Kung Fu pajamas... Jaiden defending himself in Karate moves

 

Alyssa in her Chinese pajamas striking some kind of pose?!

And now the coffee fairy can return to lounging in bed while Daddy makes special coffee!

the unexpected expected...

No photos today although I did consider publishing our afternoon activity we did but I decided to capture a conversation we had this morning. As you may or may not know, Dennis is traveling a lot this month... in the past 3 weeks, we have seen him a total of 3 1/2 days! It's been good and it's been fun but I am feeling tired now so when this morning started I thought a new day, a new start and we're off... except Alyssa wasn't off. In fact she was doddling and being silly and well, just not getting dressed even after I had asked her 3 times so while she was upstairs looking down on us, Jaiden was sitting at the counter and I cleaning up breakfast dishes, the conversation began...

Me (in my typical you better or else voice): "Alyssa, that's IT! I am going to come up and sit on you and get you dressed up!"

Alyssa: giggle, giggle, more giggling

Jaiden with a slight smirk on his face: "... and you are going to smother her with kisses." 

Me (in the voice of don't spoil my surprise attack): "Yes, but she doesn't need to know that."

Jaiden (in his knowingly voice): "Yes, she does!"

Me (shocked but a little skeptical): "... and just how do YOU know that is what I am going to do?"

Jaiden, looking a little sheepish: "Weeeellll.... {dramatic pause} I've learned the hard way."

I nearly fell over laughing because apparently my trick isn't so tricky anymore. They seem to have caught on that when Mommy is losing patience, you'd better do it or get smothered with kisses! And since Alyssa has decided no more Mommy kisses, she immediately got dressed in a "I LOVE DADDY" shirt... hmmm, do you think that was a coincidence?

pardon the interruption...

... of daily december doses of kid activity, but I am busy wrapping, packing, shipping, baking, wrapping, packing, shipping...

 ... and I have a helper who is more entertaining than helpful...

... I will return tomorrow with hopefully a cleaner kitchen table.

PS. We ate at the counter for dinner tonight ... don't tell Daddy about the mess(es)!

PSS. Jaiden's homework for tonight involved writing to a child at their sister African school. Everything had to fit in a letter sized envelope so he filled his envelope with a couple of photos, a silly bandz, a mechanical pencil, stickers, a mini notebook, a drawing and a very sweet letter. I need to remember to scan it in before he turns it in. He was so generous and thoughtful about what to send, it melted my heart (as if that is any surprise!).

what I love...

What I love right now is watching these two kiddos learn and grow. I am amazed each day at something so sweet or cute that they do. I love that Jaiden asked for new shoelaces but not just white ones or black ones... but rainbow tie dye laces.

I love that he learned to lace his own shoes...

 I loved that Alyssa wanted to help him...

And I love that he wore them to school today, excited to show them off. I loved hearing a few of his friends say "coool" when they saw them and I love how he expresses himself so purely, creatively and entirely him... I love it! And secretly, I am glad to see color on his feet again... I really miss those mismatched all sorts of colors socks he used to wear... white is boring! Wonder if he would want to have tie dyed socks?

all they want is cardboard...

It all started with a school bus and a dog house when Daddy came home two weekends ago. They cornered him, twisted his arm and well, it didn't take much and he obliged spending one of his two days home creating cardboard toys... and then he returned this weekend for one full day where again the delight came from cardboard boxes (and a couple of toilet paper tubes) turned into race cars.

Later Jaiden decorated his car with lightening bolts and #1's. He even made himself a trophy to put on the shelf of his dog house, now turned garage for his car. (This box came with compliments from Yaya when she shipped my awesome griddle pan which I got to try out this morning and then again at dinner... it rocks griddles!)

Alyssa decorated her race car with flowers and her name (just in case Jaiden couldn't tell)!

(and this box came from Granny Suze)

This is daddy building shelves in Jaiden's doghouse now turned garage. So by next weekend, the kids will have conjured up something else they need to their growing collection of cardboard toys for him to do which thankfully he'll be home for a few weeks before heading out again and that also means more boxes may have arrived as well!

(the doghouse box compiments of Papi)

So basically, forget the toys ... send a good box cutter, some packing tape and lots of boxes!



decisions, decisions...

What to post? Goodness, today was a bit crazy and filled with fun little things we did but I think I will sum up our day with the local hemophilia party and some Santa messages. I didn't take many photos of the event itself but I did spend most of Friday afternoon and evening preparing...

the table decorations that I put together with lots of fantastic help from two little elves...

then there was all the jingle bell necklaces, my sweetie helped me with.

And then this morning, we had a special message awaiting from Santa on Mommy's computer...

They are both intently watching but Jaiden is slightly distracted by that tooth... he just can not leave it alone. And yes, Alyssa's shirt is backwards - she was about to leave for a backwards birthday party!

Just another view of them watching Santa talk to them on the computer (thanks Papi!)

... and then the hemophilia holiday party. But the big part wasn't the decorations or the game with the jingle bell necklaces, the big part was seeing Santa again and spending some time talking to him and reading their letters to him which they both got to write while they were waiting. Jaiden, of course, did a fantastic job writing his letter and Alyssa impressively tried her hardest to write it all by herself.

Ho Ho Ho!